(a) [Generally.] It shall be the duty and responsibility of the code official to enforce the provisions of this code within the city limits.
(b) Waivers.
(1) The code official and the director may waive applicability of this code, in whole or part, to a unit of rental housing on application of the property owner if:
a. Adequate notice in a form and manner specified by the city is afforded a tenant of the unit;
b. The tenant is afforded an opportunity to comment on the application either in writing or in person;
c. The waiver would not threaten the health or safety of a tenant;
d. If strict compliance with the provisions of this code shall cause an undue hardship due to conflicting regulations of federal, state, or local agencies;
e. The exterior of buildings located in the Historic District shall be exempt from the provisions of this code which conflict with the requirements of the historic district commission.
(2) The code official and the director may waive applicability of this code if the waiver is granted on the basis of the religious practices of the occupant of the unit of rental housing.
(3) The code official and the director may waive applicability of this code if the application would be inequitable or contrary to the purposes of the Act.
(c) Displacement. A person may not be displaced by the enforcement of the minimum livability code unless alternate housing of comparable affordability is available within a reasonable distance of the vacated premises.
(d) [Conflict with state law.] Enforcement and waiver application are not intended to supersede any state laws pursuant to the Annotated Code of Maryland as follows:
(1) State fire laws, Article 38A;
(2) State elevator laws, Article 89; and
(3) State boiler laws, Article 48. (Ord. No. G-88-21, § .04, 12-8-88)